LYNN — Free dental, vision, and medical services will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at Remote Area Medical’s two-day clinic on Oct. 29 and 30 at KIPP Academy Lynn Middle School.
The nonprofit provider, also known as RAM, is hosting the event in collaboration with Avid Hotels and KIPP Academy to offer medical care to those in need free of charge. RAM senior volunteer coordinator Ronnie Hatfield said the nonprofit sets up clinics in places it was invited. Hatfield said a medical student and KIPP Academy staff worked together to request the clinic six months ago.
“We do know that the need is everywhere,” Hatfield said. “We fill a gap in the healthcare system. Our goal is just to set up and see as many patients as we can.”
Hatfield emphasized that clinic providers will not ask patients for their ID or insurance information.
“You could say your name is Mickey Mouse and you were born 300 years ago,” Hatfield said. “We will help you.”
Due to the weekend clinic’s time constraints, RAM advises patients should be prepared to choose between dental and vision services, according to an organization press release. Medical services will be available to every person attending the clinic. Those seeking medical care must wear a face covering and undergo a COVID-19 screening before entering the clinic.
RAM clinic volunteers include licensed nurses, physician assistants, doctors, dentists, dental hygienists, optometrists, ophthalmologists, opticians, and medical students. RAM also occasionally provides veterinary services. RAM has served more than 888,500 patients and delivered more than $181.5 million worth of free healthcare since its founding in 1985.
The organization was founded to provide medical care in remote areas of developing countries but today, more than 95 percent of all the nonprofit’s operations take place domestically, according to the release.
“[The] mission is to prevent pain and alleviate suffering by providing free, quality healthcare to those in need,” the release reads. “Almost immediately after beginning operations, RAM began receiving requests to operate clinics in the United States.”
Clinic doors will open at 6 a.m. and those interested in seeking medical care will receive directions upon arrival at the school’s parking lot. The parking lot will first open at midnight on Friday and will remain open throughout the clinic’s duration. Hatfield said those interested in attending the event as a patient or volunteer can find more information online at ramusa.org.
Rachel Barber can be reached at [email protected].
